Authorities: Town employee crashed car into pole on purpose

Wednesday

Mar 19, 2014 at 12:05 PMMar 19, 2014 at 5:51 PM

By Norman MillerDaily News Staff

FRAMINGHAM - A Medway man told his niece and nephew they were on a "death run," before he slammed his car head-on into a utility pole on Monday, injuring both children and himself, a prosecutor said in Framingham District Court Wednesday.Peter Curtis, 32, intentionally drove his car at speeds up to 100 mph before the crash, prosecutor Sarah Fallon said during his Framingham District Court arraignment.Curtis, who works for the Framingham Parks and Recreation Department, picked up his sister's children - his 15-year-old nephew and his 10-year-old niece - in Marlborough to bring them to their mother's office in Framingham, the prosecutor said.Around 7 p.m., Curtis began driving at a high rate of speed - the 15-year-old estimated 100 mph - on Pleasant Street.According to a report filed in court the boy said his uncle "was driving crazy.""He told the kids to buckle up, that he was taking them on a death run," Fallon said.Curtis slammed the car into a pole on Pleasant Street near Arnold Road."I would suggest it was an intentional act," Fallon said.According to the report, when officers arrived they found Curtis unconscious behind the wheel with a serious head injury.The two children were lying on the ground, after they got out of the car on their own. The boy was taken to MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham, where he was treated and released.The girl was taken to Tufts Medical Center in Boston with an abdominal injury and possible internal bleeding. As of Tuesday, she was in the hospital's intensive care unit. Framingham Police spokesman Lt. Frank DiVittorio said he had no update on the girl, and a hospital spokesman said he could not release any information.When Curtis woke up "he was crying out he was in pain and that he was sorry for the accident," the report said.According to the report, Curtis was driving east on Pleasant Street when the car crossed into the westbound lane and struck a granite curb. The front left tire blew out and the car then hit the pole, spun and rolled for 50 feet before stopping."Review of roadway indicates that there are no apparent signs of any attempt to brake or take evasive action prior to impact," the report said.EMTs and police officers said Curtis' breath smelled heavily of alcohol. Empty vodka nip bottles were found in the car. Police have sought a search warrant to obtain Curtis' blood-alcohol level from medical records.Curtis, of 9 Heritage Drive, was charged with two counts each of assault with intent to kill and reckless endangerment of a child. He was also charged with driving to endanger.Fallon asked Judge Robert Greco to hold Curtis without bail pending a hearing to determine if he is a danger to the public. Greco ordered Curtis held until a hearing on Friday.During the arraignment, Curtis covered his face with a blanket and appeared to have trouble walking. Curtis' lawyer, Michael Brennan, said Curtis was seriously injured in the crash."He's not doing well," said Brennan. "He's pretty banged up."Brennan said the crash was not intentional."It was an accident, a serious accident," he said. "It was definitely not a suicide attempt. Accidents happen sometimes when you're doing something stupid. Stupid things happen and sometimes people get hurt."Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date crime news, follow Norman Miller on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW.

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